Frustrated with the failure of the public school system, a public school teacher starts her own private school. Based on a true story. [ The Marva Collins Story credits: Dir: Peter Levin/ Cicely Tyson, Morgan Freeman / 100 min/ Drama, Biography/ Government Schools, Incompetent Government, Voluntarism] Marva Collins, a Chicago public school teacher, started “Westside … [Read more...]
Karl Hess: Toward Liberty (1980)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES WINNER: ACADEMY AWARD BEST DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT) A documentary examination of Karl Hess’s political beliefs and how he came to them. [ Karl Hess: Toward Liberty credits: Dir: Roland Halle, Peter W. Ladue/ 26 min/ Biography, Documentary-Educational/ Libertarian Heroes] Note: the full documentary can typically be found online … [Read more...]
America, America (1963)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PICTURE A young, oppressed Greek gives up everything to earn passage to America. Based on a true story. [ America, America credits: Dir: Elia Kazan/ Stathis Giallelis, Frank Wolff, Harry Davis/ 169 min/ Action-Adventure, Biography/ Pro-Immigration, Democide] “America, America is an outstanding, inspiring, … [Read more...]
The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PICTURE A Jewish girl and her family hide from the Nazis in an Amsterdam attic. Biographical. [ The Diary of Anne Frank credits: Dir: George Stevens/ Millie Perkins, Joseph Schildkraut, Shelley Winters/ 170 min/ Drama/ Democide] “The Diary of Anne Frank communicates well the quiet heroism of all involved.” This film brings to life the actual … [Read more...]
Carbine Williams (1952)
Imprisoned for allegedly killing a federal revenue agent, a fiercely independent bootlegger spends his time in jail inventing an improved rifle. Based on a true story. [ Carbine Williams credits: Dir: Richard Thorpe/ James Stewart, Jean Hagen, Wendell Corey/ 90 min/ Drama, Biography/ Creator as Hero, Legalize Drugs, Second Amendment] “Jimmy Stewart is ideal in his … [Read more...]
The Magic Box (1951)
William Friese-Greene invents the motion picture. Biographical. [The Magic Box credits: Dir: John Boulting/ Robert Donat, Maria Schell, Margaret Johnston/ 110 min/ Biography, Drama/ Britain/ Creator as Hero] “Practically every leading actor in British film lined up to join in this tribute, so even the most minor characters are played with style. The delightful Maria … [Read more...]
Guilty of Treason (1950)
Cardinal Mindszenty of Hungary is tried for treason by Soviet authorities after speaking out against the socialist takeover of his country. Story inspired by actual events. [ Guilty of Treason credits: Dir: Felix Feist/ Charles Bickford, Bonita Granville, Paul Kelly/ 86 min/ Drama, Biography/ Anti-Socialism, Government as Torturer] No trailer available. “The Left now … [Read more...]
Sister Kenny (1946)
An Australian nurse who discovers a treatment for polio fights an uphill battle to win its acceptance. Biographical. [ Sister Kenny credits: Dir: Dudley Nichols/ Rosalind Russell, Alexander Knox, Dean Jagger/ 116 min/ Drama, Biography/ Creator as Hero, Anti-Regulation] “Sister Kenny is an often moving film and a good example of the creator-as-hero theme...It would be an … [Read more...]
Spitfire (1942)
A British engineer must design the most deadly fighter plane of his time if he is to save his country from Nazi invasion. Based on a true story. [ Spitfire credits: Dir: Leslie Howard/ Leslie Howard, David Niven, Rosamund John/ 118 min/ Drama, Biography/ Britain/ Creator as Hero, Voluntarism] “This is a terrific creator-as-hero story and a heartwarming tribute to R. J. … [Read more...]
Courageous Mr. Penn (1942)
Biographical account of the life of William Penn. [ Courageous Mr. Penn credits: Dir: Lance Comfort/ Clifford Evans, Deborah Kerr, Dennis Arundell/ 88 min/ Biography, Drama/ Britain/ Freedom of Speech, Libertarian Heroes, Law & the Individual] No trailer available. “This is an appealing portrayal of a great friend of liberty.” William Penn was an early libertarian hero, … [Read more...]